Sister Circle: Celebrating

C E L E B R A T I N G W O M E N I N M I N I S T R Y

By Rev. Dr. Cynthia Turner Wood

It has been said: When women gather, the world changes. Throughout history, women’s gatherings are where wisdom is shared, stories are told and connections are made. They can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. That’s what happened for me on March 23, 2021, when I logged on to Zoom to join in on DCBC’s Sister Circle: Celebrating Women History’s Month. I had put the placeholder on my calendar but wasn’t sure if I would actually sign on. And, I almost didn’t. With so much on my to-do list, I had every reason to sit this one out. I am so glad, however, that the Spirit nudged me and guided my instincts so I did not miss it, because even though the world at-large did not change that day, my world did.

Following a heart-felt prayer by Rev. Dr. Ella Redfield, DCBC Vice President, Rev. Dr. Trisha Miller Manarin, DCBC Executive Director, becalmed us as she called the gathering to center around a poem by Anne Dutton, a 17th century British Baptist laywoman, which speaks to the four themes of the presenters: Hoist Up Your Sails, Wait for the Wind, Attempt the Work, and Wait for the Spirit to Carry You Through.

As if the Spirit Herself weaved the presentations together, the four panelists took us on a journey of ministry highs and lows, reminding us that even when we feel most alone, we are never forsaken, but the Spirit accompanies us all the while. With soul-nourishing words, the panelists invited the close to 60 women who joined from Georgia, Kansas, Massachusetts and several other states to “sister together” for a short while as they shared from their ministry experiences.

Rev. Dr. Patricia Hernandez, Associate General Secretary for American Baptist Women in Ministry and Transition Ministries with the ABCUSA Office of the General Secretary, spoke about the need for called women to hoist our sails, quoting from that poem by Anne Dutton: “Whenever you are called into any piece of service for God…Hoist up your sails.” She reminded us that disappointments come, but our assignment, regardless of the challenges, is to have the faith to still raise up our sails once more, trusting that the wind will come.

Bringing her own fresh wind, Rev. Dr. Debora Jackson, Dean of the Robert A. Foisie School of Business at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, picked up on that theme with a mini sermon on what it means to wait for the wind. She likened our efforts in ministry to kite flying when there is no wind. The kite will only go so high and fly only so far, under our own power. As soon as we run out of wind and stop, the kite comes crashing down. She encouraged us, like Elisha, to wait on the Lord to create a great wind and the work will get done.

With sincerity of heart and transparency, Rev. Kasey Jones, Associate Coordinator of Strategic Operations and Outreach, CBF, encouraged the women to unashamedly embrace their womanhood as they attempt the work of ministry. “God knew who you were when God called you,” she said. It’s a challenge to not rely on traditional male models when that’s all we have seen. However, using Esther as her example, Rev. Jones reminded sisters that “God never calls you to a place that you can do [the work] in your own strength…because God wants you to lean on God’s self when you are doing God’s work.”

With humor and grace, Rev. Dr. Molly Marshall, Interim President of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, reiterated St. Augustine’s words: “The Spirit of God is closer to us than we are to ourselves.” Remember, sometimes we wait for the spirit and sometimes the Spirit is waiting for us. She admonished us to wait for the Spirit, remembering that, though waiting may feel like being in the doldrums, there’s value in waiting. “The Spirit is always sifting, discerning and moving us. We are never not accompanied, sisters!”

To think, I nearly allowed the pressure and busyness of fulfilling my daily checklist to cause me to ignore the prayer that was being prayed within me — the one that knew I needed the strengthening and company of sisters near and far. I am still grateful, and still nourished, weeks later from the nudging that would not let my sails rest, lest I miss the heavenly wind that was sent our way through this gathering. 

Rev. Dr. Cynthia Turner Wood is the Pastor of Dayspring Community Church in Lanham, Maryland.